Student Blog

With all of the news stories heard daily, sometimes it can be hard to wonder where this world is headed. Lately, there has been a lot of talk about Joseph Kony. For those of you who don’t know, Joseph Kony is just about the worlds most hated man right now, and for good reason. The things he has done are tragic.

The light shining on Africa right now with this situation has made me think a lot about the contrast between other countries and here in America. There are kids, teens, and even adults that struggle on a day to day basis to find water fit to drink, or food that hasn’t gone bad or won’t make them sick. It’s astonishing to me to think that it could just as easily be us in the same situation. As a college student, I sometimes do take my education for granted… As a matter of fact, I think we all do. We’ve got something that is truly one of a kind. Not many people can say they have a college education!

While stressing over your exams, cramming, doing homework assignments, dreading that screeching alarm clock every morning, try to keep in mind the reason you are doing it all. For an education! It’s something people literally would kill for.. Something that can not be measured in a dollar amount (although, it is a bit pricey at our age), because it is not something bought. It is something earned. It is an investment you make in yourself.

Some people say school is expensive, and not worth the hassle. I strongly disagree. We are fronting money to the economy, and the interest we earn back will be a hundred fold! An education is not something that can be taken away from you. It is the most prized possession one can wish to acquire.

The purpose of this blog, to me, is to try to convey to you, my audience, that you should not doubt yourself. This is simply an investment, and like the stock market, what you put in, you (hopefully) get out two or three fold.. Who knows, maybe even more!

When the economy finally picks up, and all of us have our degrees, we will be glad that we stuck with it when we did. We will be living like royalty, reaping the benefits of our education. Something few across the globe will be able to claim. So keep your chin up! Look at the bright side of things! We are going to college! Not many can say that, especially in the trying times we are in.

Try to seek happiness in the small things in life. Be glad you are stressing over that exam, or dreading that homework. (I know, sounds odd doesn’t it?) You will be glad you did in a few years, when things are drastically different.

What are your thoughts on a college education? Email me what you think about it! studentblog@scf.edu

We’ve all got hair issues, I think. Some people lose hair, some people’s hair is too brittle. Some people wish their hair was straight, some wish for curly, some wish for different colors. Thats a lot of insecurities, and sometimes keeping up with making yourself feel better about them can be really time consuming. Who has the time and the money to dedicate towards “fixing” all of these issues? It can be a real challenge! So many of us are on campus every day, we have homework, tests, and projects, not to mention work. Alongside that, books are not cheap! And neither is the gas it takes to get to school. The drive alone is thirty-five minutes for me, and I know that personally, my days are chock full as it is.

Well, sometimes it doesn’t have to be as hard as you think it might be! If you just change up your routine a little bit, you could save a lot of the dollars and hours spent in hair salons. First off, its important to make sure you pick out shampoo/conditioner that suits your needs. Sound expensive? Have no fears! You don’t have to buy salon brands like TreSemme to get products that treat you well. It may cost three or four dollars instead of one, but lots of stores have shampoos, conditioners, and styling agents that are specified to different types of hair (long hair, curly hair, dry hair, flat hair, etc.). Meanwhile, there are home remedies that also work well. You might have heard of women putting mayonnaise in their hair and wondered to yourself, “Why would they do that?” The answer is actually quite simple! Two of mayonnaise’s main ingredients are eggs and oil, both of which are very good for hair. For those who don’t relish the idea of putting a condiment in your hair, consider this: Heat 1/4 a cup of olive oil in the micro then mix it with a beaten, raw egg. Gently rub it into your scalp and roots, lightly through the length of your hair, and into your tips as well. Let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Go do some homework or cook dinner while you let it soak! It may sound a little gross, and it may not feel too great when its all over your fingers, but after you wash it out with shampoo and conditioner, you hair will feel healthier already.

For those losing hair or have hair that breaks too easily, go to your doctor and ask if it’s a reasonable worry that you might be iron deficient. My hair is naturally very thin, so I’m of the opinion that that is why it breaks. But sometimes not having enough iron in your diet can also cause this, and as long as it is doctor approved, you can go out and purchase iron supplements. Another option is a vitamin called Biotin! These vitamin helps strengthen the keratin your body produces, making it good for hair and nails!

When you’re a student, its always a great idea to look into the less-expensive options. High quality boxed hair dye, vitamins, and home hair treatments are all just a few things that could help you out! Why dedicate an hour or two alongside $70 at a salon when you can accomplish the same results at home, while getting school work done at the same time.  Have you tried any of these home ideas? Or have any other suggestions? Drop them into an email to studentblog@scf.edu, we’d love to hear about them.

Wow guys! I can’t believe I am blogging about midterms already.. Seems like life is flying by. Best part about this week? Spring break!! I cannot wait! But, stress before play they say! (Wait.. that’s not right!) I’ve got to take my exams and study study study before I get to go on my break. Best part about my break? I don’t actually have spring break, because I get to work!! :/ But that’s ok, I like getting that paycheck

Well, I’m logging off to study. My Mac1140 exam is Friday, and I want to make sure I ace it!  My favorite method to use with math is repetition. If I get one minute thing wrong, I do a similar problem until I don’t make the mistake I made initially.  Each subject gets a different study method for me. What are your study habits? Any suggestions? Let me know. studentblog@scf.edu

In my ENC 1102 class this week, one of our assignments was to read a short story called “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” At first glance, it doesn’t really look like an outstanding story, but the saying stays true that “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”

I don’t want to give away too much detail about the story, mostly because I think that you should give it a read, and see how wonderful it is for yourself.  I have not often read books, or stories, or anything written down for that matter.. that was as descriptive and colorful as this story was. In our class, we are to read and analyze a given short story and, up until this point, the stories haven’t been particularly interesting to me. I am the type of person who likes action, blood, violence, and a good plot. A “good vs evil war story” if you will. Some stories can be exceptions; Harry Potter of course was one of them, but mostly I find the stories that catch my attention are typical for my gender. (Funny how that works out isn’t it?) This short story we read as an assignment was one of the few stories that I actually read over again just for the enjoyment! I will say that it does take place in a war, and there is such colorful detail and description in this story, it’s just amazing. I simply cannot convey to you how excellent I find this story to be. Watching action movies a lot, I can say that you just cannot compare the detail to this story. It’s a relatively short story as-well, ending after only a few pages.

It’s left me wanting more. Some may say I am easily impressed with stories and books of this genre, but I disagree. It takes something special to make me rant and rave over it like I have for this blog!

Also a little reminder, tomorrow is Student/Faculty development day! Unless you have a class scheduled after 4pm, there are no classes!

What type of story do you prefer to read? I really crave to find another story like this one, so if you have read this story and know of one similar, let me know! studentblog@scf.edu

Howdy ya’ll. Hope you are having an outstanding week. I know I am. It’s great this time of year. Not too hot, not too cold, the sun is shining and birds are singing.. It’s great. The sun is starting to go down a little later each day, and before you know it we will be right back into summer again!

The point of this blog is just to remind you all that Friday is Faculty/Staff Development Day. There won’t be any classes or academic support labs! The only exception is for classes that are scheduled for 4 p.m and later. They will all meet as usual.  I know, it is a bit confusing, but trust me. The original date this was set for was changed, and the student planners were already printed with the incorrect date, so that is why you don’t see it in your agenda. Make note though, because if you are here on Friday you will be all alone.. Lol!

It’s a great day to sleep in, and get a head start on studying! Instead of being in class the entire time, look at it as an opportunity to catch up on all of your classes. For those of you who are only going to school, look at it as a freebie 3 day weekend! For those of you that work and go to school, I’m sorry, but you will still have to clock in like normal. (Nannie nannie boo boo!!!! >:P  )

*Ahem*

Anyways! … Be sure to write down that there are no classes before 4p.m on Friday. I know that for me personally, it is going to be a well needed break. Almost like a preview for Spring Break!!!!

What are you going to do on Student/Faculty Development day? I would love to know.

studentblog@scf.edu

Its that time again…

Midterms… Those awful tests that are just as bad as finals, in my opinion!

Okay, its not all that bad. I’m just stuck in the throes of distaste, studying and trying to cram for my first midterm of the semester. I’m not ready! Actually, I’m probably more ready than I give myself credit for. Thats the wonders of a good professor! I’m really glad for the professor I have for American History this semester. I’m not going to lie, I am not a fan of history. Not so much because I find the subject itself unpleasant, but more that is is always written or explained in such uninteresting ways! Give me a book of good historical fiction or a documentary though, and I am so ready to dig into them. This time around though, this is not the case. This professor is great at keeping class interesting. He cracks jokes, he relates it to modern day issues, and so on and so forth. He’s an easy guy to get along with too, something I can always appreciate.

So what makes a class more enjoyable for you? Do you like it when a professor is more down to earth? Sort of along those lines, what are some of your favorite? I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying American History this time around, but I usually really love classes like Creative Writing, Visual Literacy, and Figure Drawing. Let me know what you like in an email to studentblog@scf.edu!

My favorite meal of the day is breakfast. Largely because I’m good at making all sorts of breakfast foods (eggs, omeletes, biscuits and gravy, french toast, bacon, mmmmmmmm), but also because I think it all tastes really great! Did you know that breakfast is actually one of the most important meals of the day?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who sacrifices this meal though. I have some friends who can’t stand to eat food in the morning, so they don’t. Personally, its more of a case of sleepiness. I could get up half an hour earlier to eat… or I could sleep an extra half hour and eat later, haha. While this isn’t really the best choice to make, we all know how comfortable beds are in the morning, plotting against any plans that have been made for the day. But I digress! There are a lot of reasons breakfast is such an important meal, all of them related to how your body works.

Theoretically, in order to keep your metabolism running smoothly, it is best to eat every three hours. This doesn’t mean you have to eat a whole meal, but say maybe, a snack. Eat some almonds or a cliff bar, something to tide you over to your next meal. Keeping this in mind, think about how much sleep you get each night– I sure hope its more than three hours! This means that your body is extra groggy in the morning, and it really needs that kick in the stomach to get it going again. Alongside this, I know that I get really distracted when I’m hungry. When I’ve gone too long without food, I honestly cannot focus on anything. Most of the time, you’re getting up in the morning to go do something, in most of our cases, to go to classes. You haven’t eaten for hours and hours! Your body needs that meal, even if its a small one, to help focus and ground it in preparation for the day ahead.

Do you eat breakfast? If not, how come? What are some of your favorite meals? I’d love to hear about all of these things, so please email us your point of view at studentblog@scf.edu.

This week marks a great thing. That’s right, this is the 8th week of the 16 week Spring semester here at SCF. It’s bitter-sweet, I will say, but I am glad it is here.

Time flies.. It’s astonishing to me how fast it really does go. It’s so strange, while you’re living it, it seems like every minute is a day, but looking back it’s like “Where did the time go?” Especially noticeable for me are the days. Now that I have a full schedule, it seems like the days are gone so quickly, I don’t get a chance to enjoy them. As young as I am, I find it somewhat scary to think that life is going this fast.. But at least I am realizing this at a young age right? Enough with my little rant.

This is such a great week. We are half way over with our semester this week, and spring break is soon. I don’t know about you, but I personally could use the break. It will give me a chance to not only catch up on my sleep, but to catch up on my studies, and even give me some free time to relax. (THAT is something that is very rare for me these days!)

The point for this blog? It doesn’t really have one. I guess if you had to put a reason or a meaning behind it, is to “Enjoy each day, and make it last. As difficult or long as it may seem, it will be here and gone before you know it.”

How are you doing in your classes? Are you glad we are into week 8 out of 16? Let me know. studentblog@scf.edu

Wow, there are a lot of concerts this week! Three that I know of. If anybody is taking Music Appreciation, like myself, you might want to check some of these out and get those concert reports out of the way.

1. Monday night at 7, in the Holly Hall (I believe), where the Sarasota Youth Orchestra rehearses, they will be having a concert tonight. I’m excited to go because my cousin is performing in it! I’m not sure if tickests cost anything.
2. Tuesday night at 8, Neel Auditorium at SCF! I believe its the wind ensembles that are playing then? Either way, the experience is sure to be fantastic. $4 for students, $8 for not-students.
3. Thursday night at 8, Neel Auditorium at SCF. The orchestra will be performing that night. As someone who used to play with the orchestra, I’d really like to make it to this one. $4 for students, $8 for not-students.

Sadly, I have other obligations later in the week and will only be going to the on Monday. Oh well! I’ve heard great things about the Sarasota Youth Orchestra, and this is my first time attending any of their performances. I look forward to it, and I hope I see some of you there! If you know any upcoming concerts, specifically ones leaning towards big band, classical, or jazz, please let us know in an email to studentblog@scf.edu.

Howdy y’all! Hope you are doing great on such a lovely day. Today the blog will be about 10,000 words, mostly informational, and super boring!!

I kid. However, I do want to give you some information! For those of you who don’t know, on the south side of the Bradenton campus, between buildings 8 and 9 there is a Farmers Market. It’s every Wednesday from 10AM-2PM, and it’s great! Not only is there a wide variety of greens to choose from, a great bonus is that it’s all grown locally. That means your dollar stays right here, and doesn’t go overseas. It’s important to keep our local vendors local, and grabbing up some of these veggies is a great way to do so.

As I understand it, all of the food is local, some is hydroponically grown, and some organically.  They also have honey, bread, pasta, cookies, muffins, and more! All grown right here. It’s a win-win situation, because you even earn Wellness Points for every dollar spent! How great is that?

Give me a shout if you see me there! Or, even if you don’t, you can give me a shout over email. studentblog@scf.edu